I. nounEtymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from affraierDate: 14th century1.archaicfray, brawl2.chiefly British a fight between two or more people in a public place that disturbs the peace
II. transitive verbEtymology: Middle English affraien to attack, brawl, disturb, frighten, from Anglo-French affraier, effreer, from Vulgar Latin *exfridare, from Latin ex- + Vulgar Latin *-fridare (of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fridu peace, Old English frēo free) — more at freeDate: 14th centuryarchaicstartle, frighten

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affray — af·fray /ə frā/ n [Middle French affrai effrai fright, disturbance, from affraier effreer to terrify]: a fight between two or more people in a public place that disturbs the peace Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 … Law dictionary

affray — (n.) c.1300, state of alarm produced by a sudden disturbance, from O.Fr. effrei, esfrei disturbance, fright, from esfreer (v.) to worry, concern, trouble, disturb, from V.L. *exfridare, lit. to take out of peace, from L. ex out of (see EX (Cf. ex … Etymology dictionary

affray — ► NOUN Law, dated ▪ a breach of the peace by fighting in a public place. ORIGIN from Old French afrayer disturb, startle … English terms dictionary

Affray — For the British submarine see HMS Affray (P421) Affray in English Law In English Law, Affray forms part of the Public Order Act 1986 under section 3. The Public Order Act 1986 s.3 states:# A person is guilty of Affray if a person uses or… … Wikipedia

affray — [[t]əfre͟ɪ[/t]] N SING: also no det An affray is a noisy and violent fight, especially in a public place. [FORMAL] Barnstaple crown court was told he caused an affray at a pub in Braunton, Devon... They were convicted of affray and received… … English dictionary